PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE IN AFRICAWorld Health Summit 202026 October 2020

Presented on behalf of NASAC by Caradee Y. Wright (PhD Public Health)South African Medical Research Council and South African Academy of Science volunteer

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Assess status and make recommendations on climate change and resilience in Africa

• Review evidence on climate change and health impacts in Africa

• Consider and assess adaptation and mitigation strategies

• Develop solution-based recommendations

Photos: CY Wright

PROJECT TEAMProject Lead: Prof Deoraj Caussy

Current project team from several African countries

The CCHH Team will be supported

by NASAC members from 28

countries and external peer

review

South Africa

Botswana

Burundi

Ethiopia

Kenya

Cameroon

NigeriaBenin

Burkino Faso

Senegal

The Gambia

Cote d’Ivoire

Mauritius

Photo: Internet

CURRENT REPORT

Main Chapters

Introduction to challenges of climate change and relevance to Africa

About the project

Known major health effects of climate change (current, future, recommendations)

- Direct, indirect (ecosystem change, economic change, societal change)

- Vulnerable populations and regions

What are the main adaptation and mitigation policy options?

- e.g. NAPs, approaches to adaptation / mitigation, case studies

Conclusions and recommendations

- Using the evidence base for solutions

HIGHLIGHTS: RISING TEMPERATURES

CCAM model derived:

(A) average number of Hda2 per year in present

climate;

(B) projected change in average number of Hda2 per

year in 2011–2040 compared to 1961–1990;

(C) projected change in average number of Hda2 per

year in 2041–2070 compared to 1961–1990;

(D) projected change in average number of Hda2 per

year in 2071–2100 compared to 1961–1990.

Garland R, Matoaane M, Engelbrecht E, Bopape M-J, Landman W, Naidoo M, van der Merwe J and Wright CY. Regional projections of extreme apparent temperature days in Africa and the related potential risk to human health. Int J Environ Res Public Health

2015, 12(10): 12577-12604.

HIGHLIGHTS: HEAVY PRECIPITATION AND FLOODS

Flood damage in DRC, Rwanda, BurundiCoastal erosion in Congo Basin

Increase in heavy rainfall and flooding

Photos: Draft NASAC report

HIGHLIGHTS: HOUSEHOLD AIR POLLUTION

In Africa, 600 000 annual deaths are

attributed to exposure to indoor air

pollution. A much larger number of

people suffer from related acute and

chronic respiratory diseases

• Cleaner stove

• Cleaner heating

device

• Ceiling installation

• Solar cookers

(wonderbag slow

cookers)

A Case study: Alternatives

Photos: A Mathee, CY Wright and Internet

HIGHLIGHTS: CLIMATE SERVICES FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

Looking backwards to plan forwards

Key essential elements:

• Working with farmers and the agricultural sector

• Incorporate indigenous knowledge and know-how

• Think holistically about health impacts (heat stress, food insecurity, malnutrition)

• Difficult to overcome uncertainties in rainfall projections

• Co-production of solutions

Access to data

is critical

Plot: Draft NASAC report

DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Temperature rise: undertake a comprehensive health and environment climate change vulnerability assessment

2. Heavy rains and precipitation: regional planning

3. Storms: capacity building in early warning systems

4. Bush fires: monitoring, fire resistant

5. Zoonoses: embrace One Health

6. Vector-borne diseases: strengthen surveillance

7. Food and water-borne diseases: understand sensitivities

8. Non-Communicable Diseases: support collaborative research

9. Cataract: health promotion, WaSH

10. Household air pollution: clean energy interventions

11. Urban air quality: more monitoring

12. UV and ozone: health promotion

13. Vulnerable population and forced migration: strengthen health systems

Detailed recommendations are given but here, one example is provided:

Photos: CY Wright

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank NASAC for the opportunity to present today

Graphic: V Muskett for CY Wright